News-pourri

The Somerset Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co. No. 1 and Fusion on Ice won Planning Board approval July 16 for expansion projects. The fire company won approval to build a new pole barn behind its fire house to make room for a new truck, and Fusion on Ice won approval to expand its Worlds Fair Drive building to build a …

Patrick Colligan, a 23-year veteran of the township police department, was installed July 15 as the president of the state Policemen’s Benevolent Association. The ceremony took place at The Pines in Edison. Colligan was the delegate for PBA Local 154 – the township’s chapter – for 12 years. He has served on several committees at the state level, and has served as …

In what will probably be his last town hall meeting as a U.S. Congressman, Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) spoke to township residents July 12 about topics ranging from infrastructure to immigration to the Affordable Health Care Act. Holt, who is not seeking re-election in November after eight terms in the House, told the more than 150 residents in attendance that …

It was a week late, but residents came out anyway on July 11 to celebrate Independence Day with music, food, games and, of course, fireworks. The event was held in the municipal complex off DeMott Lane. Along with the vendors, various township organizations set up tables and distributed literature and give-aways. The celebration was delayed a week because of inclement …

It was delayed by a few hours, but the 79th annual Middlebush Volunteer Fire Department July 4 parade went off without a hitch. The parade route started at the firehouse on Olcott Street, wound around Railroad Avenue and up South Middlebush Road to Amwell Road, where a left turn brought it back to Olcott. Besides the host company, participating were units from …

A former teacher of autistic and emotionally disturbed children has been named the interim Director of Pupil Personnel Services for the school district. Terrance R. Brennan will start the position on July 14, according to a release from the district. He was named to the position at the June 26 Board of Education meeting. Brennan is the former interim schools …

A proposed schedule for Franklin High School which would have reduced class periods and increased lunch times was rejected June 26 by the Board of Education. That means that the master schedule in effect for the 2013-2014 school year will be used in the 2014-2015 school year, and possibly longer. Board members Delvin Burton, Christine Danielsen, Nancy LaCorte Edward Potosnak …

Township senior citizens looking for a break on their cable television bills got some relief at the June 24 cable franchise agreement public hearing. Bob Clifton of Comcast Cable, told the seniors that the only discount the company is legally allowed to give is 10 percent to those eligible for the state Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (P.A.A.D.) …

A township resident won Planning Board approval June 18 for her plan to split a Vanderbilt Avenue lot into two to allow her to build a home close to her family. Margaret DeGeorge told the board that she currently lives in a townhouse on the other side of town, and she wants to be closer to her mother and brother …

Schedule changes that would result in more homework and added – albeit shorter – lunch periods for Franklin High School students and longer science and social studies classes for Sampson G. Smith 6th graders will be up for votes at the Board of Education’s June 26 meeting. Details of the changes were discussed at the board’s June 19 meeting. Board …